Dubai student jailed for sexually abusing 13-year-old girl

A 21-year-old man from Dubai, Hamdan Alshamsi, has been sentenced to six years in prison for sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl he met on Snapchat. Alshamsi contacted the girl online and, after spending months grooming her, flew to the UK to meet her. Upon arrival in the UK on Christmas Eve, Alshamsi rented a hotel room in Brighton. He arranged for the girl to be brought to the hotel in an Uber, despite her being vulnerable and inexperienced. Once there, he showered her with gifts and then sexually assaulted her over a two-day period. Police were alerted after receiving a tip-off and conducted a search for the girl. They found her wandering in the hotel, upset and wanting to go home. Alshamsi was arrested while enjoying the hotel's spa amenities. In court, the girl's family spoke about the severe psychological effects the abuse has had on her life. They described how the incident destroyed her innocence and left her in need of ongoing counseling. The judge emphasized Alshamsi's predatory behavior and signed a sexual harm prevention order, stating that he would be deported after serving his sentence. Detective Inspector Sean Booth commended the police for their swift action in ensuring the girl's safety and encouraged other victims of sexual exploitation to come forward.